On Tuesday, April 5, from 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. John Jay College President Karol V. Mason, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, New York City Council Member Keith Powers, New York Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Hon. Edwina Mendelson, Proskauer Partner and Head of Pro Bono William C. Silverman, and CEO of Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT) Cathy Cramer will dive into the impact that the New York State Family Court has on people of color and those living in low-income households. Their goal? To discuss the need for investments, resources, and advocacy to improve under-resourced courts, building upon Secretary Johnson’s “Report as the Special Advisor on Equal Justice in the New York State Courts.”
“What LIFT is doing—right there on the front lines of family court—enables clients to become fierce advocates for themselves and their loved ones.” —Karol V. Mason
The family court division in our country is very different from criminal court. Unlike criminal court, litigants in family court are not eligible for court-appointed representation, leading to 80 percent of family court litigants left to their own devices as they navigate the complex world of family law. Without legal guidance, parental rights could be terminated, insufficient child support amounts could be set, and protection orders against domestic violence abuse might not be issued. Yet, like so many established systems within our country, the gap in resources hits communities of color and low-income households the hardest.
The vast majority of litigants appearing in family court are Black and Latinx parents or caregivers from low-income households. The repercussions of this lack of guidance directly affects children in our communities. One in six children living in New York City lives in a household receiving child support, and as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, child support represents 57 percent of the mean incomes of custodial parents living below the federal poverty level.
“This work is both essential and rewarding because we directly interact with so many families and help them through difficult situations.” —Kevin Sigcho ’21
That’s where LIFT comes in. They provide access to legal guidance and support to unrepresented family court litigants. “Helping people navigate their way through our complex family court system is not only admirable, but essential for families like the ones that so many of our students come from,” says Mason. “What LIFT is doing—right there on the front lines of family court—enables clients to become fierce advocates for themselves and their loved ones. I urge everyone to join us on Tuesday, April 5, as this impressive panel addresses race and poverty in the New York State Family Court System.”
“This panel discussion is all about advancing racial and social justice with an appreciation for how the courts impact real people.” —William C. Silverman
Kevin Sigcho ’21, LIFT Team Member
As President Mason indicated, John Jay and LIFT’s missions perfectly align, and the connection between the two institutions runs deep—over 30 John Jay students and alumni have worked at LIFT and gained valuable experiences, networks, and knowledge. “I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice at John Jay and now I’m pursuing a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice at John Jay. Since March 2021, I’ve been working with LIFT to assist families upload and complete their court forms. As a tech hub leader, I also help them access their virtual court hearings,” says Kevin Sigcho ’21. “This work is both essential and rewarding because we directly interact with so many families and help them through difficult situations. My current role has a lot of responsibilities, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love working for this organization. There is never a bad day working at LIFT because the entire staff is super friendly and willing to help those in need.”
William C. Silverman, Partner and Head of Pro Bono at Proskauer
Silverman is no stranger to John Jay. For the past five years, he’s led the “Lawyering for Social Justice” workshop series at the College, educating and inspiring our pre-law students. “This upcoming panel discussion is a great example of why collaborating with John Jay is so impactful and important. Court reform may sound like a nice—perhaps even a little boring—academic discussion all about efficiency and best practices. Not so here,” says Silverman. “This panel discussion is all about advancing racial and social justice with an appreciation for how the courts impact real people. It is an honor to be part of something so meaningful.”
Cathy Cramer, Chief Executive Officer LIFT
As passionate as Cramer is about helping underserved populations receive the legal guidance they need in family court, she’s equally passionate about working with John Jay students in that plight. “LIFT is all about increasing access to justice, and partners like John Jay and its students have been crucial in helping us do the on-the-ground work of reaching out to litigants with information and resources,” says Cramer. “I’m excited about all that we will continue to accomplish together in the future. That’s why LIFT is so pleased to be hosting this important panel discussion and to invite the John Jay community to join us. This panel discussion will specifically focus on the long overdue investments needed in our family court system. I’m hoping that many John Jay aspiring lawyers, future public servants, and anyone interested in equity and fairness within our legal systems joins us.”
Join the virtual panel discussion: Tuesday, April 5, 6:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
